Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.An Important RefreshThe RX may be the best-selling Lexus model in North America and around the world, but its baby brother, the NX, always followed closely behind. To say its role within the company is crucial is a massive understatement, as without it, the brand wouldn't be achieving the same amount of sales it has if it relied on the RX alone.Which is why the refresh of the NX is such a big deal. While it won't excite the enthusiast, it will draw the attention of those shopping for a compact luxury crossover. It should be fresh enough to attract a new batch of customers, but at the same time, the changes shouldn't rock the boat to alienate the Lexus faithful.LexusLike Big BrotherThe most obvious change to the 2027 NX is the front end. It now draws inspiration from the larger RX, but there are also elements from the ES sprinkled in. The car now blends the familiar look of its best-selling sibling while slowly integrating the brand's new corporate styling. Again, it looks fresh, but likely won't upset the customer base.AdvertisementAdvertisementAlso present are tweaks to the tailgate, while the taillights have been freshened up with new LED elements. Front and rear bumpers have also been changed, and there are also new wheel options available, plus additional color options. The rest of the car's body carries over relatively unchanged, so it'll still be a pretty familiar shape for buyers.LexusInterior OverhaulHop inside the 2027 NX, and it's quite different from the outgoing model. Here, more of the all-new ES' influence can be seen. There's the bar that houses flush physical buttons, so Lexus isn't abandoning tactility for the sake of trends here. With that, the entire center stack was redesigned to accommodate it, and it looks sleeker and slimmer than before.The touchscreen is now a free-standing unit and no longer connected to the instrument cluster. The screen itself appears larger than its predecessor, not that the old one was lacking in any way. Adding to that illusion is the fact that the climate control knobs have disappeared, replaced by said flush buttons below the infotainment system. The digital cluster now has its own housing, and the steering wheel seems to have been lifted straight from the ES. Sadly, though, the classic 'L' badge has disappeared, replaced by the Lexus wordmark.LexusNew and Updated TechAside from screen acreage, the infotainment system gets a new operating system. It's much like the one found in the '27 ES, so we're expecting good things out of it. The new software is an evolution of the Lexus Interface system, and it's actually something that was first seen in the 2022 NX. Of course, we can expect it to appear in future Lexus models down the line.AdvertisementAdvertisementAlso new to the NX is Lexus Safety System+ 4.0. It has the usual array of advanced driver assists, but has been further refined to intervene only when absolutely necessary. Traffic jam assist is also available, as is lane change assist.Lexus also added something called Sensory Concierge. In essence, it's an ambient lighting package that can be changed depending on the mood of the occupants. Inspire is blue, Radiance is green, while Revitalize is a shade of off-white. There's even an on-board diffuser that can be loaded up with select fragrances from Lexus.LexusEnhanced Hybrid PowertrainsThe badges are familiar, but the hybrid system gets an upgrade. There's a new e-Axle integrating the transaxle, motor, and PCU (Power Control Unit), allowing for a more compact and lighter package. It also gets SiC (silicon carbide) power semiconductors for better energy efficiency and power flow, contributing to improved fuel economy. The NX 450+ plug-in hybrid has a newly developed battery that delivers an 8% increase in output and a 30% larger capacity to boost its EV-only range. The best part is, DC fast charging is also supported.It would seem that the 2027 NX has taken the pure hybrid route, as there were no specifications given for a pure combustion model. New to the range is the 300h, and that one uses a 2.0-liter Atkinson Cycle engine mated to an electric motor. Total system output for this base engine is 195 hp. The NX 350h retains the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and total power remains at 241 hp. As for the plug-in hybrid, that one makes 322 hp. The 300h is front-drive only, while the 350h can be specified in front-drive or all-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid is all-wheel drive only.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2027 NX will soon be available in Japan. As for the U.S. market, it could arrive later this year. Expect prices to go up, but knowing Lexus, probably not by much. Hopefully, at least.LexusLexusView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.